At least three police officers have been killed after bandits ambushed a police patrol team in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 2am on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the Damba Division of the state.
A source familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officers were on night patrol when armed bandits launched the ambush.
According to the source, the attackers fired repeatedly at the patrol vehicle, leaving its body riddled with bullet holes.
A photograph of the vehicle showed it bearing the inscription, “Damba Division, Zamfara State, Donated by: Zamfara State Govt,” with visible bullet damage.
As of the time of filing this report, the Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the incident.
The attack comes days after gunmen reportedly killed 20 people, including security personnel and civilians, in an ambush on a convoy of traders travelling under military escort in the state.
Previous reports indicated that the victims included four soldiers, three police officers, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and 12 civilians.
The traders were reportedly travelling from Gwashi to Nasarawa Market in Bukkuyum Local Government Area when they came under attack.
Zamfara State has continued to face persistent insecurity linked to heavily armed criminal groups commonly known as bandits. The groups have carried out attacks on communities, abducted residents for ransom and stolen livestock, leaving many communities vulnerable to recurring violence.
